UFC on FOX 9: Faber Talks Title Shot Picture, McDonald’s Power

Although some folks may have written Urijah Faber’s championship chances off last July, after he failed to secure the UFC bantamweight interim tile versus Renan Barao, he certainly hasn’t faded out of contention. Of course, since the defeat, not only has the 34 year-old star won three straight fights, he’s done so in impressive fashion. As a Faber gets ready to throw down with Michael McDonald at UFC on FOX 9 this Saturday, the Team Alpha Male fighter is currently holding down the division’s #2 ranking.

So, in other words, if Faber can get by the rising McDonald this weekend, the chances of Cruz-Faber III or Barao-Faber II will increase dramatically right? Well, while speaking to MMA Weekly.com recently, here’s what Faber had to say about his title shot prospects.

“I’m the guy for a title shot at this point, I mean Barao and Cruz, and getting through McDonald, that takes out a lot of guys in the division,” said Faber. “Aside from myself, there’s TJ Dillashaw, he’s on my team, so I think the two of us will be the next step in line.”

Of course, Raphael Assuncao is also in the mix, since he’s won five straight fights and most recently got by Dillashaw with a split decision win. That said, if Faber scores a clear win over McDonald, calls for “The California Kid” to fight for the title will be widespread. Getting by McDonald, however, won’t be easy.

“He seems to have a really good mind for the sport, which is great, and he’s got one part of his game that’s extremely dangerous: he’s got that knockout power,” Faber noted about McDonald. “So, I’ll be aware of that and I have fought guys with that same type of power.”

UFC on FOX 9 will be hosted by Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena and will feature Joseph Benavidez taking on flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson in the main event.